Saying Goodbye to My Little Home

Today’s photos are from past posts as I say good-bye to my little house on the west coast of Florida and coastal living. It’s kind of sad, but as I take a new step in life in my new home, it’s also exciting. Next week is the big day, and I am more than ready emotionally to let go of my little house. (I’m moving to a 2 bedroom 2 bath condo in Lakeland, Florida. See I Sold My House & Found a Condo for more information.)

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Tropical Parking Lot Landscape

The other day I drove to my favorite Publix Supermarket here in central Florida. I noticed how nice the parking lot looked with great tropical foliage. Public landscaped areas are a great way to find easy to grow plants for your area. Owners of strip malls want to provide a pleasant environment for the customers, but they don’t want to spend big money on maintaining plants. Each row of parking spaces has a nice flower bed at the end with variegated leaf bushes, colorful crotons, and a plant with small blue flowers. The two types of bushes are tropical and easy to grow in our climate. Add a tree and a large light post and it’s perfect for the public location. (Government buildings and community buildings are also good places to note landscape plants. In more northern environments there is often a few evergreen bushes that provide a frame year round.)

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DIY Leaf Wreath

It’s hot and humid here in central Florida, and I’m dreaming of cooler days in a few months.  Up north, when leaves start to turn, you can make beautiful colored leaf wreaths.  I always think of maple leaves as they are so beautiful.  Of course, I’ve seen green leaf wreaths, fall leaf wreaths with colored leaves, and even leaf wreaths with brown leaves.

 

 

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In The Garden: White Lily Time

For the last ten days I have been enjoying my white lily time. I mentioned previously during my first two years in my home, I  planted multiple white lilies. The first year only one plant survived the hot Florida summer. The second year none of the new plants survived.  Each year that one lone lily has reproduced, and now I have multiple lilies beside my front porch.

 

 

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